Here's what to know. Every toilet in your home has a wax ring connecting it to your plumbing, which creates a waterproof seal to keep what goes down to the sewer from seeping out the sides. This piece of equipment usually lasts as long as the toilet, about 30 years.
No Leaks Coming From the Toilet
Again, leaky water is a telltale and common sign of a bad wax ring. If you do not regularly see moisture or puddling water under your toilet, you may be fine. Leaks can, however, happen where you do not see them, under the finished floor and into the subfloor.
It requires no maintenance and can last 30 or more years, often as long as the toilet itself. But sometimes wax rings can dry out, crumble, and fail prematurely.
The short answer is, indefinitely. Wax, unlike rubber, doesn't deteriorate. Unless there's another problem with the toilet, it won't spring a leak on its own. People usually replace wax rings when they remove the toilet for some unrelated reason.
$90-$120 is a good ballpark.
If you are having other plumbing work done, they might do it cheaper, and if they have a large travel fee, you may pay closer to $150. Unless there is a problem, it should take them under a half hour, whereas, it might take a novice 1.5-2 hours.
A typical price for Toilet Wax Rings & Floor Seals is $10 but can range from approximately $1.63 to $62.
On average, most toilets will have a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years, even with regular use. The lifespan may vary depending on the toilet model and the wear and tear it experiences over the years. Most toilets will start to give you warning signs indicating the time for replacement is near.
The only-when-flushed toilet leak could be caused by loose mounting bolts or a worn-out wax gasket while the all-the-time leak could be caused by a loose water supply line connection, a problematic water shutoff valve, or a faulty seal between the toilet tank and its base.
There are, however some things that may cause them to no longer function properly. One very common cause of wax ring problems is loose toilets. If the toilet is not firmly mounted, or gets loose to the point where it rocks a bit, it can cause the wax ring to lose its seal.
Many professionals stick with wax because they know it's reliable, and they're paid to deal with the mess. If you're more comfortable with the tried-and-true approach, go with a wax seal. If you'd rather have something that's easy to install, then a modern, wax-free toilet seal might be a better choice.
If the wax ring isn't sealed correctly, it can cause wastewater to leak from the bottom. Leaking water can lead to mold around the floor. A poorly sealed wax ring can also cause foul odors to stink up your bathroom. If you smell sewage or see water leaking, then you may need a new wax ring.
So, what's the cause? Leaky loos are usually caused by a faulty flush-valve or fill-valve inside your tank – predominantly on dual-flush WCs. It can happen with any WC brand and type, but most leaky loos are the result of a failure in valve seals. These failures can happen on old and new WCs.
The first sign of a bad toilet ring is water forming around the base of the toilet. To test that a bad seal is the problem, grab a couple of towels and wipe up the water. Go on with your day, checking periodically to see if the water has returned.
The most common toilet leak is caused by a deteriorated flush valve (flapper) at the bottom of the toilet tank. If the flapper does not seat properly, water will leak into the toilet bowl. Often this leak will occur without being heard.
A general rule of thumb is to replace a toilet around every 25 years, though your mileage may vary. You might also want to consider replacing your toilet if it was installed before 1994.
Cleaning, clogs and flushing
Cleaning your toilets regularly is the foundation of a good toilet maintenance checklist, but monthly is more realistic. Wipe down the entire toilet at least once a month, and don't forget to clean the rim jets, located under the rim of the bowl. They're a little tricky to reach.
The average toilet lasts between 15 to 30 years, depending on how often it is used and how well it is maintained. If you bought a high-quality toilet and maintained it diligently, your toilet could last 50 years.
Please remember that adding the weight of a wax seal to your mailed item may increase the postage required for mailing. If in doubt, take a completed item to your postal office for a postage quote. If you opt to have items hand cancelled, your postal office may charge a fee for this service.
If the toilet's floor flange height is slightly less than 1/4 inch above the flooring, you can use an extra-thick wax ring to make up the difference. Do not be tempted to stack up two wax rings because this setup tends to leak.
Like many things in the world of plumbing, a wax ring (aka wax seal) on a toilet is an inexpensive part by itself. However, the expertise and time needed to replace it often necessitate using a professional plumber to do the work.
You should always consider replacing the toilet supply when replacing the wax seal. If toilet is caulked to the finished floor of the bathroom, score the caulking all the way around the toilet base with a razor knife.
When it works properly, the wax ring creates a watertight seal between the toilet base and the drain pipe. Unfortunately, wax can fail over time, leading to water leaking onto the floor. The good news is that popping on a replacement wax ring will fix the problem.